Making it fun...

So I've been on and off with weight training and working out for about 5 years now. I'm really trying to stay committed to it now because I have a tux fitting in a little over 2 months and a wedding to be in (not mine) in a little over 6.

My problem with sticking to working out is that I find it to be work, not fun like most of you guys find it. How (or why) do you guys find going to the gym enjoyable or how can I make it more enjoyable?

I've tried finding it fun, but it's not. Its boring and painful. So the way I get through workouts is will power... I'm not allowed to go to bed until I've done my workout, and at the gym I figure I'm just wasting my time if I don't do a full workout, and since I don't like being there, I need to get something out of it.

I like working out with a friend or a training buddy, but if im by myself, I listen to super uplifting/dance playlists on my ipod and I try to jot down my gym routine before getting there. Also, you might want to see if you gym offers classes for strength training. I go to BodyPump at least twice a week and love it! My gym also offers other Les Mill classes.....check it out lesmills.com Hope this helps and good luck to you!!

If I didn't have my PT to motivate me twice a week and a training partner to work out with once a week, I'd be miles behind in my workouts. They are personable, we share stories as we work out, we take the fitness part seriously and the time flies by.

Try to shake things up a bit... Go hiking in the snow. Swim. Join a sports team. Buy one of those ridiculous workout videos and actually do the exercises. Start collecting weights and a medicine ball for your mini home gym.

The possibilities are endless for shaking up a routine of strength training.

I agree with you. Working out is NOT fun haha. I just keep in mind that somehow you have to suffer if you wanna look good. So I just think that the more I'll suffer and the better I'll look. At least, it works for me lol.

After 35 years of doing it, I still find it fun, and, look forward to working out almost every day. It's my private time. It's my feel good time. It's time when I don't have to answer to anyone (except a downed server). It's time when I realize the results of my patience, focus, discipline, planning, and persistence.

There are rewards, of course: low cholesterol, excellent health, fitness, strong bones, improved cognition, endurance, appearance, being treated better, no risk of a cardiac event, taking responsibility for my personal health because it's the right thing to do, but it's mostly about feeling good.

If you don't like lifting, per se, then, do some other truly athletic activity that you enjoy. Like so many things, it's about perspective.

I enjoy my workouts, but I really look forward to the days when I'm with my trainer. If you don't have one, try to find a workout buddy. As for cardio, RJs bravehound has some fantastic mixes to download.

chuckystud said...I still find it fun, and, look forward to working out almost every day. It's my private time. It's my feel good time. It's time when I don't have to answer to anyone. It's time when I realize the results of my patience, focus, discipline, planning, and persistence.